Memories of Joey provide will to give

Joseph P. “Joey” Savage of Auburn may be gone, but he is not forgotten and continues to help children in need, thanks to donations in his memory to the Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund.

The largest donation was given in memory of “Joey S. 1258” from Mr. Savage’s friends and family at Barbers Crossing North Restaurant on Route 12 in Sterling.

“Joey was a great guy. He was real good with kids,” said Mr. Savage’s nephew, Matt Wallace, restaurant manager.

He said Mr. Savage was the restaurant’s KENO operator for many years.

“His lucky lottery number was 1258; he was born on January 2, 1958,” Mr. Wallace said.

The lucky numbers 1258 have been placed in nooks and crannies around both the family-owned Barbers Crossing Restaurant in Sterling and Barbers Crossing Roadhouse on Route 9 in Leicester in Mr. Savage’s memory.

Mr. Wallace said his father, John Wallace, and mother, Trish Wallace, Mr. Savage’s sister, own both restaurants.

Mr. Savage died unexpectedly on Nov. 17, 2011 at age 53, leaving his family stunned. Collections were taken in his memory for the Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund.

In its 74th year, the T&G Santa Fund collects thousands of donations from generous readers and area residents to help buy toys for children in need in Central Massachusetts.

Children 12 and younger who would otherwise not receive any holiday gifts are eligible to receive at least two toys each. When signing up at an area agency, parents or guardians should bring personal identification for each family member and proof of address and income.

No applications will be accepted directly by the T&G.

Area agencies accepting applications for assistance include: the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities Family and Children’s Services of Southbridge, Gardner Community Action Committee, WHEAT Community Services and Winchendon Community Action Committee.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the fund can do so by clipping and filling out the form in the newspaper and mailing it to Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund, c/o Commerce Bank, P.O. Box 15204, Worcester, MA 01615-0204 or by going online to www.telegram.com/santa to donate by credit card.